A snapshot of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship Annual Report 2007–08

(c) immi.gov.au

Migration program

The outcome for the Migration Program was 158 630 places in 2007–08, the largest since the late 1960s. This included a Skill Stream of 108 540 places, which was expanded by the incoming government by 6000. The balance of the program was made up of 49 870 Family Stream places and 220 Special Eligibility places.

Trends in the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) Visa Program to March 2009

(c) immi.gov.au

Key Points
• Demand for the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) (Subclass 457) visa program is reflecting changes in the global and local economic environment. Primary visa applications in March 2009 were 33 per cent lower than September 2008.
• Primary visa grants in March 2009 were 35 per cent lower than February 2009.
• The number of permanent visa grants in March 2009 to primary applicants where the person last held a Subclass 457 visa was 89 per cent greater than March 2008.

Tradie shortage looms

(c) Chris Zappone business.theage.com.au

The short supply of tradesmen, despite a slump in home building, points to a crisis when the sector eventually recovers, according to a report released today.

Skills Shortage looms as confidence returns

(c) JESSICA LEO news.com.au/adelaidenow

THE state’s job shortage could ease in as little as 10 months, says the president of a career development body.

Skills Shortage Persists as Layoffs Increase

(c) australianit.news.com.au

THE number of international technology professionals seeking Australian permanent residency has increased by about 20 per cent.

Australia has accepted nearly 7 million Immigrants Since the End of World War II

In a recent newspaper article by James Grubel of Thomson Reuter he quoted the following statistics:

How to search for Australia Study Work Live

Using the Google Adwords Keyword Tool, these are the current most popular phrases being entered into Google worldwide in English:

International Education Industry defies Global Financial Crisis

Source: ACPET and AEI

The international education industry is set to defy the global financial crisis as the only major export predicted to ride it out, as reported by the Australian Government Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC).

International Student Enrolments Up 20.0% in October 2008

(c) aei.gov.au

The year-to-date (YTD) October 2008 AEI International Student Data show there were 519,127 enrolments by full-fee paying international students in Australia on a student visa. This is a 20.0% increase on YTD October 2007, and is the first time enrolments have exceeded 500,000. Commencements in the same period grew by 23.7%.

Economic Migration Annual Report 2007-2008

Objectives

This component aims to:

• strengthen the economic and budgetary benefits from granting permanent residence visas to skilled and business migrants
• address key and emerging skill shortages, particularly in regional Australia
• expand business establishment and investment.